Tuesday, April 9, 2024
HomeHealthCan Sweet Tea Cause Kidney Stones

Can Sweet Tea Cause Kidney Stones

Assessment Of Tea Alcohol And Fruit Consumption

Can Iced Tea Cause Kidney Stones?

At baseline survey, all participants were required to report their frequency of tea consumption during the past 12 months . Participants who consumed tea at least once a week were further asked to report days consuming in a typical week type of tea consumed most commonly the number of cups of tea consumed in a drinking day. A pictorial guide was provided to illuminate the standard-sized cup. According to reported tea consumption frequency, all participants were divided into three groups: never, less than daily , or daily. According to the cups of tea consumed per drinking day, daily consumers were further divided into four groups: 12, 34, 56, or 7 cups per day.

Habitual fresh fruit consumption was assessed by a validated qualitative food frequency questionnaire . All participants were required to report how often they had consumed fresh fruits during the past 12 months . The options never or every month but less than weekly were defined as less than weekly, and 13 days per week or 46 days per week were defined as weekly.

Also Check: Can Aleve Damage Your Kidneys

Does Drinking Tea Cause Kidney Stones Tea Effects On Renal Health

Tea is a big NO for those who suffer from kidney stones. This is because tea has very high oxalate content and oxalic acid aid in the forming of kidney stones. So, does tea cause kidney stones? The answer is yes, drinking too much tea can lead to the formation of kidney stones. However, recent studies prove that green tea may be consumed by those who suffer from kidney stones as it contains a compound that prevents kidney stones from being formed.

Can You Get Kidney Stones From Drinking Tea

Some true teas from the Camellia sinensis plant are relatively high in oxalates, which naturally leads to concerns that they could contribute to kidney stone formation.

While public opinions from urologists and other experts may fall on both sides of this issue, peer-reviewed research is more conclusive.

Scientific studies find a risk of kidney stones in tea drinkers compared to people who dont drink tea.

A 2013 analysis of over 194,000 participants found that there was an inverse relationship between daily intake of tea and the risk of new kidney stone formation.

Also, the effect was cumulativethe more cups of tea per day and per week, the greater the benefit. That said, a relationship in study data doesnt prove causation, and theres also a possibility that people who drink tea also eat a healthier overall diet .

A 2019 study also found that drinking green tea daily did not raise the risk of stone formation.

And a fascinating 2009 study found that oxalate crystals formed in the presence of green tea were flatter and more fragile than those formed under regular conditions, which the authors argued could prevent the formation of clinical kidney stones.

On the other side of the fence, Dr. John Milner, an assistant professor at the Department of Urology at Loyola University claims that For people who have a tendency to form the most common type of kidney stones, iced tea is one of the worst things to drink.

You May Like: Does Pop Cause Kidney Stones

Does Caffeine Cause Kidney Stones

Three large recent studies have shown the potential of caffeine consumption to inhibit calcium-oxalate kidney stone formation.

In addition, another recent study supported that surprising result by showing how caffeine may help to discourage the attachment of crystals to the kidney that go on to form stones .

Excessive Ice Tea Leads To Mans Kidney Failure

Does Iced Tea Cause Kidney Stones?

A manâs kidney failure has been linked to his excessive iced tea habitbut donât worry, youâre probably not approaching the danger zone. The 56-year-old Arkansas man was drinking 16 glasses of the stuff daily, amounting to a gallon every day,the AP reports. Black tea contains a lot of a compound called oxalate, which can lead to kidney issues,LiveScience reports.

âWith 16 cups of tea daily, the patientâs daily consumption of oxalate was more than 1500mga level that is higher than the average American intake by a factor of approximately three to 10,â scientists say.

The man was hospitalized last year, and his urine contained lots of the calcium oxalate crystals involved in kidney stones. He was put on dialysis and he may be on it for life, doctors note.

âWe are not advising against tea consumption,â a researcher says. âIf you are healthy and drink tea with moderation, it should not cause damage to your kidneys.â

In fact, past studies have suggested that a more reasonable amount of tea can actually fight kidney stones, an outside researcher tells Reuters. Still, many of us apparently consume too much oxalate, which can be found in spinach, chocolate, nuts, and wheat bran, among other foods. While experts donât recommend going beyond 50mg per day, the average American consumes 152mg to 511mg, researchers note.

This story originally appeared on Newser:

More from Newser:

Read Also: Is Watermelon Good For Kidney

Easy Ways To Prevent Kidney Stones

Did you know that one in ten people will have a kidney stone over the course of a lifetime? Recent studies have shown that kidney stone rates are on the rise across the country. Those in the know believe that some major misconceptions may be the culprit.

The National Kidney Foundation has teamed up with Dr. Allan Jhagroo, a kidney stone specialist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, to help you stay stone-free by debunking some of the major kidney stone myths and misconceptions.

Read Also: Can Seltzer Water Cause Kidney Stones

Does Iced Tea Cause Kidney Stones

Iced tea in the summer is one of the most relaxing and refreshing drinks. However, the fact that iced tea can lead to kidney stones makes it a slightly less enjoyable drink. Doctors have found that a chemical in oxalate that is found in iced tea is a key chemical that helps form kidney stones.

John Milner, an urologist at Loyola University Medical Center, said that people who drink a lot of iced tea are more in danger of developing kidney stones. However, being dehydrated also causes them. Men the age of 40 or older are four times more likely to develop kidney stones than women. A study was done on a 56 year old man who experienced kidney failure. After doctors found oxalate minerals, they found out the man was drinking about 16 glasses of iced tea per day. Although the doctors could not find the causation between the two, they know that they are correlated. As the amount of iced tea consumed increases, the higher the chance of developing kidney stones. Doctors tend to put kidney stone patients on diets with low-oxalate consumption. In her article on Health Day, Kathleen Doheny states, the recommended intake of oxalate per day is 40-50 milligrams, yet Americans tend to intake 50-100 milligrams. Americans that are in more danger of kidney stones should drink less iced tea and consume less oxalate.

Recommended Reading: Aleve Effect On Kidneys

Infrequently Asked Questions: Can Drinking Too Much Tea Cause Kidney Stones

The world is full of questions we all want answers to but are either too embarrassed, time-crunched or intimidated to actually ask. In the spirit of that shared experience, we’ve embarked on a journey to answer all of the questions that burn in the minds of Philadelphians — everything from universal curiosities to Philly-specific musings .

Tea drinkers have long feared the answer to the question of whether their hydration method of choice is actually detrimental to their kidney health. Eager to set the record straight, we reached out to Dr. Pooja Singh, a clinical assistant professor in nephrology at Jefferson University Hospital.

Getting to the chase, can drinking too much tea really cause kidney stones?

The answer to that is ‘Yes,’ but only if it is done in an excess amount. And the reason for that is because tea, specifically black tea, which is how we drink tea in America, is very rich in a mineral called oxalates. These are present not only in black tea, but chocolates, spinach, beets and peanuts. So if you have susceptibility for stones you and I, if we are not susceptible to kidney stones, we can perhaps drink a lot more and not have a problem …

Is oxalate present in other teas, too?

Specifically if they have a history, not to drink so much black tea. And it also goes with other things like the chocolate and the spinach and other things I mentioned.

How do you know youre susceptible?

How To Avoid Kidney Stones

Dr. Hammontree discussing ice tea effects of Kidney stones

Here are the five ways to help prevent kidney stones:

Drink plenty of water: Drinking extra water dilutes the substances in urine that lead to stones. Strive to drink enough fluids to pass 2 liters of urine a day, which is roughly eight standard 8-ounce cups. It may help to include some citrus beverages, like lemonade and orange juice. The citrate in these beverages helps block stone formation.

Eat calcium rich foods: Dietary calcium binds to oxalate in your intestines and thereby decreases the amount of oxalate that gets absorbed into the bloodstream and then excreted by the kidney. This lowers the concentration of oxalate in the urine, so there is less chance it can bind to urinary calcium. That leads to decreased risk of kidney stones.

Reduce sodium: A high-sodium diet can trigger kidney stones because it increases the amount of calcium in your urine. So, a low-sodium diet is recommended for the stone prone. Current guidelines suggest limiting total daily sodium intake to 2,300 mg. If sodium has contributed to kidney stones in the past, try to reduce your daily intake to 1,500 mg. This will also be good for your blood pressure and heart.

Avoid stone-forming foods: Beets, chocolate, spinach, rhubarb, tea, and most nuts are rich in oxalate, which can contribute to kidney stones. If you suffer from stones, your doctor may advise you to avoid these foods or to consume them in smaller amounts.

Recommended Reading: Does Diet Coke Cause Kidney Stones

Symptoms Of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard clumps of waste made up of chemicals in the urine. Stones are most commonly made of calcium oxalate and the concentration of these salts increases when the body is dehydrated. Symptoms of kidney stones usually involve severe pain and may include:1

  • severe lower back pain
  • chills
  • and more.

If you are curious about whether your drinking may be negatively impacting your renal system and overall body, you may benefit from this article.

Kidney stones can form for several reasons. This page will inform you about kidney stones, their relation to alcohol use, how to treat kidney stones, and how to find treatment for an alcohol use disorder.

What Can I Drink While Having Kidney Stones

  • The best thing to drink is water.
  • Various sodas and fruit juices are also available, such as ginger ale and lemon-lime sodas.
  • To make more urine, drink enough fluids throughout the day to make 2 quarts a day.
  • You need to drink enough water to have light-colored urine. Dark yellow urine indicates that you dont drink enough water.
  • Also Check: Watermelon For Kidneys

    Is Tea High In Oxalates

    The main source of dietary oxalates are plants and plant products, especially leafy plants and seeds related to rhubarb and spinach. Oxalates also occur in the leafy plant Camillia sinensis better known as the tea plant from which tea leaves are harvested.

    Rule of Thumb:

    Non-fermented or lightly fermented teas such as white and green tea have less oxalates than darker, fermented teas such as Black tea, Puerh and Kombucha .

    Oxalate comparison in various tea types

    • Darker Tea : approx. 224 mg/200mL
    • Black Tea: approx. 156 mg/200mL
    • Green Tea: approx. 80 mg/200mL
    • Herbal Tea: Very low to non-detectable

    Making Sorrel Iced Tea

    Iced Tea May Cause Kidney Stones

    My first sorrel tea experience was at my sister in laws house everyone raves about her sorrel tea, and baked salmon, and steak, well she is an amazing cook, and after tasting her sorrel tea, I and hubby tried to recreate it in our humble kitchen.

    I read a lot about sorrels health benefits and yes it can lower blood pressure, lower bad cholesterol, and detoxify the entire body. Can you imagine that your body is healing while you are doing the simplest thing which is drinking delicious sorrel iced tea.

    Although this recipe of Sorrel Iced Tea will keep you wanting to pour more and more in your glass, but too much of sorrel can create kidney stones, so moderation is the key.

    Now, if you have some sorrel in your kitchen go ahead and make some using my recipe, and if you dont, I guess its time to buy some.

    , and if you happen to make any of my recipes, please post the picture and mention me in your post, or use this hashtag #munatycooking. I would love to see your creation.

    As for my recipe, here you go!

    Donât Miss: Ginger Good For Kidneys

    Don’t Miss: Is Ginger Tea Good For Kidneys

    What Is The Relationship Between Green Tea And Kidney Stones

    Green tea has actually been shown to reduce the risk of kidney stone formation in women by a respectable eight percent. In men, that risk reduction increases to 14 percent. While green tea still leads to an increase of oxalate in the blood, it adversely impacts crystal formation, which is the kidney stone.

    How Does Green Tea Help Prevent Kidney Stones?

    It is believed that the extract from green tea ends up adhering itself to the calcium oxalate as it is emitted. This impacts the way that the crystals are formed in comparison to other types of tea. In essence, the crystals formed from green tea do not clump together like they normally would.

    How Do Oxalates Threaten My Kidney Health

    Oxalates occur naturally in many foods. The kidneys job is to clean these waste products from the blood, that then leave the body in the urine.

    If there is too little liquid in the urine and too much oxalate, calcium oxalate fragments can occur. As these fragments build up, crystals accumulate and stones can be created.

    The simple thought is that food and beverages with higher oxalate levels are linked to higher risk of kidney stones.

    However recent research is showing that tea, specifically may contain substances that actually repair and protect or kidney from oxalic-acid damage.

    Recommended Reading: Can Diet Coke Cause Kidney Stones

    How Green Tea Prevents Formation Of Kidney Stones

    The extracts from green tea get bonded to calcium oxalate and the resulting crystalline takes a different shape, which prevents it from clumping together and forming kidney stones. The small crystals pass easily through urine. As per the study, the more green tea causes the calcium oxalate crystals to become flat and flatter crystals forms kidney stones that are less stable, which break up easily.

    Research on the subject is still ongoing, though the findings thus far seem to indicate that green tea isnt as bad for the kidneys as it was previously thought to be. But it should only be consumed after consultation with a renal specialist.

    How Much Tea Is Too Much

    Kidney stone prevention, Tea drinking, America Now Dr. Lee Hammontree

    Most herbal and green teas are safe to consume in larger amounts, however you may want to be more conservative if drinking darker, fermented teas such as black tea or puerh.

    Black can still be beneficial in moderate amounts. A 2002 study in the Journal of Epidemiology found that 8 oz of tea consumed daily actually reduced the risk of stone formation by 14% .

    Moderation is key when consuming tea. A recent case study from the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System described a patient that had drank 16, 8 ounce glasses of iced tea daily and had to be put on dialysis because his kidneys had stopped functioning . Although important to drink enough, remember water can also be toxic when consumed in large quantities!

    You May Like: Osteocleanse

    Can You Drink Hot Tea With Kidney Stones

    kidney stonesdrinking teakidney stonesyoudrinking onetea

    Is hot tea bad for kidney stones?

    Summer is high season for drinking iced tea. However, a John Miller, Loyla University Medical Center urologist warns that iced tea can contribute to painful kidney stones because of its high concentration of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that lead to the formation of kidney stones.

    What Happens If You Eat Too Much Sweet Potato

    While there arent any severe health problems associated with sweet potatoes, they are high in vitamin A, which the body stores, Flores said. When levels get too high, you may notice your skin and nails looking a little orange. This side effect should decrease if you cut down on sweet potato consumption.

    Read Also: Is Watermelon Kidney Friendly

    Teas That Are Good For You

    1. Azul Tea

    Azul tea is one of the best teas to drink, especially if you are prone to kidney stones. Its a great alternative to your typical herbal teas. And, its a natural diuretic so it increases the production of urine.

    Increasing your bodys urination may help flush out your kidneys and keep them healthy.

    Also, Azul tea may help prevent calcium oxalate stones from forming. This is due to the isoflavones found in the Palo Azul plant. It is another preventive perk, even if you dont have kidney stones.

    Additionally, Azul tea naturally modulates urine acid levels. So, it may help with urinary tract sediments and other kidney stone issues. This could make the oxalate acid dissolve into the urine and pass from the body, instead of forming painful deposits.

    In contrast, Azul tea has other health benefits as well, like strengthening and maintaining joint health. It may also help detox your body prior to a drug test. Its natural body bolstering and cleansing properties make Azul Tea a highly recommended tea to keep in your kitchen.

    2. Green Tea

    Green tea is generally a good choice for tea lovers. Aside from its low oxalate content, it may also help your body prevent kidney stones from forming, too.

    Calcium oxalate containing stones are one of the most common types of kidney stones. And, its the biggest culprit when you consume too many calcium-rich foods. But, there is an extract in green tea that may help with that.

    3. Goldenrod Tea

    4. Citrus Tea

    5. Dandelion Tea

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular